Every man knows that you don’t date your best friend’s little sister, but Captain Jeremy Phillips can’t seem to be convince Madison O’Shay to stay away. And he can’t convince himself to stop thinking about her, either.

She’s Ruled by Love…

Madison knows exactly what she wants…and whom. But she won’t give up her career in the Navy for any man, not even Jeremy.

They’re both about to learn that in the game of love, it’s all about breaking the rules.

The Review:

The Officer Breaks the Rules is the second installment in Jeanette Murray’s delightful Semper Fi series. Jeremy Phillips and Madison O’Shay’s are friends whose unexpected attraction to one another proves to be as irresistible as it is complicated.

Readers were first introduced to Madison and Jeremy in The Officer Says “I Do”, the romance between Tim O’Shay and Skye McDermott. Madison is Tim’s sister and Jeremy is Tim’s best friend. Madison and Jeremy share a very steamy kiss in the first book, but Jeremy’s loyalty to Tim causes him to back away from a relationship with Madison. In The Officer Breaks the Rules, Jeremy is determined to resist their attraction while Madison is equally determined to act on their passion.

Madison and Jeremy are vibrant, well rounded protagonists. Of the two, Jeremy is the more complex character. He is conflicted about his career in the Marines while Madison relishes her job as a nurse in the Navy. Madison is close to her parents, brother and sister-in-law whereas Jeremy’s relationship with his father is a little contentious.

The relationship between Jeremy and Madison is a continual push/pull with both characters fighting then giving in to their desire for one another. Jeremy is very reluctant to ruin his friendship with Tim by dating Madison. Madison has no reservations about their romance and she does not hesitate to try to overcome Jeremy’s objections to changing their relationship from friends to lovers.

A secondary storyline with Jeremy’s father adds further conflict to their burgeoning relationship. Jeremy is struggling to reconcile his need to fulfill his father’s dream versus his very real desire to change careers. Jeremy’s childhood experiences also come into play as he tries to make a decision about his future.

The Officer Breaks the Rules is a lovely romance that is quite engaging. Love does not come easy or lightly to this wonderful couple, but in the end, they do eventually find their happily ever after.

Jeanette Murray continues to tantalize readers of the Semper Fi series with intriguing glimpses of the developing relationship between Tim and Jeremy’s friend Dwayne and Skye’s cousin Veronica. I am looking forward to uncovering the secrets of Veronica’s mysterious past.